What is Big Data and Why is It Important?
Knowledge

What is Big Data and Why is It Important?

The variety and volume of data that is being transmitted via the internet today, as well as the velocity at which it is being transmitted is constantly increasing. These data sets are so voluminous that traditional data processing software just can’t manage them, and so they have come to be called “Big Data”. The massive volume of data necessary to address new and more complex business operations has brought about new challenges to meeting the requirements of these new developments.
Published: May 03, 2022
What is Big Data and Why is It Important?

What is the Definition of Big Data?

Big data is a combination of unstructured, semi-structured, and structured data collected by organizations that can be mined for information and used in machine learning projects, predictive modeling, and other advanced analytics applications.

Big data is often characterized by the three V's:

  • the large volume of data found in many environments;
  • the wide variety of data types frequently stored in big data systems; and
  • the velocity at which much of the data is generated, collected and processed.

More recently, several other V's have been added to different descriptions of big data, including veracity, value and variability. Although big data does not equate to any specific volume of data, big data deployments often involve terabytes, petabytes, and even exabytes of data created and collected over time.

Why Big Data Matters?

Companies use big data in their systems to improve operations, provide better customer service, create personalized marketing campaigns, and take other actions that, ultimately, can increase revenue and profits. Businesses that use it effectively hold a potential competitive advantage over those that don't because they're able to make faster and more informed business decisions.

Here are some more examples of how big data is used by organizations:

  • In the energy industry, big data helps oil and gas companies identify potential drilling locations and monitor pipeline operations; likewise, utilities use it to track electrical grids.
  • Financial services firms use big data systems for risk management and real-time analysis of market data.
  • Manufacturers and transportation companies rely on big data to manage their supply chains and optimize delivery routes.
  • Other government uses include emergency response, crime prevention and smart city initiatives.

Types of Big Data

Following are the types of Big Data:

Unstructured

Any data with unknown form or structure is called unstructured data. In addition to the size being huge, unstructured data poses multiple challenges in terms of its processing for deriving value out of it. A typical example of unstructured data is a heterogeneous data source containing a combination of simple text files, images, videos etc. Now a days, organizations have a wealth of data in their possession but unfortunately, because this data is in its raw form or an unstructured format, they don’t know how to derive value out of it.

Semi-structured

Semi-structured data can contain both unstructured and structured data. We can see semi-structured data as structured in form but not actually defined. An example of semi-structured data is data represented in Extensible Markup Language (XML) files.

Structured

Any data that can be stored, accessed, and processed in the form of static and unalterable data, such as “fixed format data” is termed “structured” data. Computer processing capabilities have grown to include techniques for working with such kinds of data, where the format is well known and pre-set in advance. Nowadays, the size of such data has grown to where typical sizes are in the rage of multiple zettabytes.

How Big Data Works?

Big data gives you new insights that open up new opportunities and business models. Getting started involves three key actions:

  1. Integrate
  2. Big data brings together data from many different sources and applications. Traditional data integration mechanisms, such as extract, transform, and load (ETL) generally aren’t up to the task. It requires new strategies and technologies to analyze big data sets at terabyte, or even petabyte, scale. During integration, you need to bring in the data, process it, and make sure it’s formatted and available in a form that your business analysts can get started with.

  3. Manage
  4. Big data requires storage and your storage solution can be in the cloud, on premises, or both. You can store your data in any form you want and bring your desired processing requirements and necessary process engines to those data sets on an on-demand basis. Many people choose their storage solution according to where their data is currently residing. The cloud is gradually gaining popularity because it supports your current compute requirements and enables you to spin up resources as needed.

  5. Analyze
  6. Your investment in big data pays off when you analyze and act on your data. Get new clarity with a visual analysis of your varied data sets. Explore the data further to make new discoveries. Share your findings with others. Build data models with machine learning and artificial intelligence. Put your data to work.

Summary

  • Big Data: Big Data means data that is huge in size. It is a term used to describe a collection of data that is huge in size and may be growing exponentially with time.
  • Big Data could be: Unstructured, semi-structured, or structured.
  • Big Data characteristics: Volume, variety, velocity.
Published by May 03, 2022 Source :TechTarget, Source :Guru99, Source :Oracle

Further reading

You might also be interested in ...

Headline
Knowledge
From Marine Polysaccharides to Pet Wellness: A New Milestone in Fucoidan Applications
In recent years, companion animals have come to occupy an increasingly significant role in human life—not merely as pets, but as integral members of the family. As pet owners place growing emphasis on animal health and longevity, the demand for functional health ingredients has surged. Among these, fucoidan, a marine-derived polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweed, has emerged as a key player in the field of pet nutritional science. Recognized for its immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and cellular repair properties, fucoidan is redefining the standards for preventive care and holistic wellness in companion animals.
Headline
Knowledge
Eco-Friendly Tableware and Food Safety: A Choice for Both the Environment and Health
With a global increase in plastic reduction and environmental awareness, a growing number of businesses and consumers are opting for eco-friendly tableware made from natural or biodegradable materials to replace traditional plastic items. Eco-friendly tableware—such as that made from bamboo fiber, sugarcane bagasse, leaf fiber, or PLA—typically does not contain harmful substances like plasticizers or BPA, thus reducing potential health risks. According to the European Union's Food Contact Materials Regulation (EC No. 1935/2004), "food contact articles shall not transfer their constituents to food in quantities that could endanger human health." However, when production processes or manufacturing technologies are inadequate, eco-friendly tableware can still pose food safety risks.
Headline
Knowledge
Food Cleanliness and Its Impact on the Human Body: A Farm-to-Table Guarantee
The cleanliness of food, defined as the hygienic state of food surfaces and production environments, is crucial for consumer health. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that globally, approximately 600 million people fall ill each year from consuming contaminated food, leading to about 420,000 deaths.
Headline
Knowledge
Green Printing Transformation Becomes the Core Competitiveness of a Sunset Industry
As global concerns over climate change, plastic pollution, and carbon emissions intensify, the printing industry is undergoing a profound green transformation. From packaging and commercial publishing to labels and promotional materials, green printing is no longer just an added value—it's becoming a fundamental requirement for brand compliance and supply chain standards.
Headline
Knowledge
From Equipment to System: Building a Highly Consistent and Maintainable Smart Coffee Platform
In today’s retail and service environments, smart coffee solutions that offer high consistency, scalability, and ease of maintenance have become key criteria for commercial adoption. Based on advanced automation control technologies and incorporating Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) brewing standards, this platform integrates modular hardware architecture, data-driven algorithms, and cloud-based remote management. It enables comprehensive deployment—from standalone machines to full-site integration. This system-oriented design not only enhances product stability and flavor reproducibility, but also significantly reduces maintenance costs, making it an ideal solution for chain retailers, branded venues, and smart vending scenarios.
Headline
Knowledge
Development Trends of Intelligent Industrial Lifting Equipment
As global manufacturing accelerates its transition toward smart transformation, the demand for industrial lifting equipment and lubrication systems continues to rise. The Taiwan and Asia-Pacific markets are steadily expanding, with increasing demand for high-safety and precision-controlled lifting and lubrication equipment in the automotive repair and industrial manufacturing sectors. The advancement of smart manufacturing has promoted the integration of intelligent sensing and remote monitoring technologies, making these devices the core driving force of smart factories, fueling rapid market growth and serving as a key driver for Fugimaku’s continuous innovation and development.
Headline
Knowledge
The Tough Hero of the Tool World: The Secrets of Tungsten Carbide
In the world of industrial cutting tools, tungsten carbide is like a superhero: extremely hard, wear-resistant, heat-tolerant, and remarkably tough, able to stay sharp without chipping during high-speed cutting and prolonged machining. From rough milling to precision engraving, its variety of tool shapes and coating technologies allow it to tackle diverse challenges. Its applications even extend beyond cutting tools to wear-resistant parts, mining bits, and even fashion accessories. Whether in automotive components, aerospace molds, or everyday aesthetics, tungsten carbide stands as a reliable powerhouse in modern manufacturing. This article will take you deep into the material’s properties, machining principles, and real-world applications.
Headline
Knowledge
Professional Analysis and Application Value of Pneumatic Tools
Pneumatic tools are a category of industrial equipment powered by compressed air, widely used across manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, and construction sectors. Compared with electric tools, pneumatic tools are lighter in weight, deliver consistent output, offer high durability, and provide superior safety. These advantages make them the preferred choice for professionals in scenarios that require prolonged, high-frequency, and high-precision operations.
Headline
Knowledge
Common Chronic Diseases and Their Characteristics: A Personalized Health Management Guide
In pursuit of a fast-paced life, we often overlook our body's warning signs. According to the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes have become a hidden threat to public health. Though these conditions progress slowly, long-term neglect can lead to serious consequences such as heart disease or stroke. This article will help you understand their causes and provide a simple “self-health management process” to proactively take control of your health.
Headline
Knowledge
Professional Analysis of Freight Logistics: From Transportation Management to Smart Supply Chains
Freight logistics is a critical component of modern supply chains. It encompasses not only the transportation of goods from origin to destination but also transportation planning, risk management, warehousing, and the integration of information technology. Professional freight operations can significantly enhance transportation efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure the safety of goods.
Headline
Knowledge
Changeable RF Filter Output Formats: A Detailed Overview
The article explores the significance of RF filter output formats and their impact on performance, reliability, and application. It discusses three main types: Connector Type (robust connections for high-power applications), SMD Type (compact and suitable for PCB integration), and Pin Type (durable through-hole mounting for industrial and automotive use). Key challenges include maintaining consistent impedance matching, minimizing insertion loss, and ensuring mechanical strength across formats. Choosing the right format depends on the device, installation, and operational requirements, while designing a single filter that performs well across all formats remains a technical challenge in RF engineering.
Headline
Knowledge
PD Chargers and PD 3.1 Explained: Everything You Need to Know
The article provides an in-depth overview of USB Power Delivery (PD) and the latest PD 3.1 standard. USB PD enables faster and more efficient device charging, and PD 3.1 expands power delivery up to 240 watts, supporting high-power devices like gaming laptops, large monitors, and e-scooters. Key features include adjustable voltage, bidirectional power, and backward compatibility with older cables. PD 3.1 simplifies charging, reduces the need for multiple chargers, and improves efficiency for high-capacity devices. Its adoption is driving market growth and moving the industry toward a universal, streamlined charging standard.
Agree